Use of chromatin remodeling ATPases as RNAi targets for parental control of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) and Neotropical brown stink bug (Euschistus heros)

Authors

Elane Fishilevich, Dow AgroSciencesFollow
Ana María Vélez, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Chitvan Khajuria, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Meghan L.F. Frey, Dow AgroSciences
Ronda L. Hamm, Dow AgroSciences
Haichuan Wang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Greg A. Schulenberg, Dow AgroSciences
Andrew J. Bowling, Dow AgroSciences
Heather E. Pence, Dow AgroSciences
Premchand Gandra, Dow AgroSciences
Kanika Arora, Dow AgroSciences
Nicholas P. Storer, Dow AgroSciences
Kenneth E. Narva, Dow AgroSciences
Blair D. Siegfried, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Published in Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 71 (2016), pp 58–71.

Comments

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. Used by permission.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism that is present in animals and plants and is triggered by double stranded RNA (dsRNA) or small interfering RNA (siRNA), depending on the organism. In the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), RNAi can be achieved by feeding rootworms dsRNA added to artificial diet or plant tissues transformed to express dsRNA. The effect of RNAi depends on the targeted gene function and can range from an absence of phenotypic response to readily apparent responses, including lethality. Furthermore, RNAi can directly affect individuals that consume dsRNA or the effect may be transferred to the next generation. Our previous work described the potential use of genes involved in embryonic development as a parental RNAi technology for the control of WCR. In this study, we describe the use of chromatin-remodeling ATPases as target genes to achieve parental gene silencing in two insect pests, a coleopteran, WCR, and a hemipteran, the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Our results show that dsRNA targeting chromatin-remodeling ATPase transcripts, brahma, mi-2, and iswi strongly reduced the fecundity of the exposed females in both insect species. Additionally, knockdown of chd1 reduced the fecundity of E. heros.